Helping people gain better

control of their health

Author: Katy Farr

Obesity (defined as a body mass index (BMI) >30kg/m2) is a chronic disease that is increasing in prevalence in adults, adolescents, and children and is now considered to be a global epidemic. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES) in 2016 showed the prevalence of obesity in the United States to be 39.6% (37.9% in men and 41.1% of women), up from 22.9% in 1994.

At Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology we investigate many aspects of this disease. We rule out any possible secondary causes (such as pituitary, thyroid, adrenal or ovarian abnormalities) as clinically indicated, discuss contributing medications, and obtain a thorough weight gain/weight loss history. Obesity is associated with a significant increase in morbidity (including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and cancer) and we assess these and come up with a comprehensive plan to manage them.

Weight loss itself is associated with a reduction in obesity-associated morbidity and we are committed to helping our patients achieve these benefits. We counsel all patients on lifestyle and behavioral modification. We also offer medically supervised programs to assist with individual goals. Ideal Protein is one program we utilize: it provides structure and one-on-one coaching that can help achieve not only weight loss but also reduction in comorbidities and often medications. We also use FDA-approved weight loss medications as needed to help our patients achieve their goals.

Finally we conduct clinical trials at all of our locations and these often involve obesity treatments. Currently at the south office we are conducting a study on a medication (semaglutide) to evaluate weight loss and long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Fish Oil (Omega 3 fatty acids has been touted as a having heart and vascular protective effects for many years. In 2018, a number of large clinical studies including studies in people with diabetes showed that fish oil had little to no effect in reducing cardiovascular events. This was quite disappointing to doctors and patients alike and many stopped taking fish oil.

Then in 1/19 a large study called the Reduce-It Trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It looked at the effect of an Omega 3 fatty which was a specific component of fish oil—EPA or icosapent ethyl in people with known heart disease and/or diabetes. Let me tell you a bit about the people enrolled in the study. The study included people who were 45 years of age or older with known heart disease OR who were 50 years of age or older and diabetes mellitus and at least 1 additional heart risk factor.

They had to have a fasting triglyceride of 150-499 mg/dl and their cholesterol had to be already well controlled on a statin. The LDL cholesterol at the start of the study was really very controlled and was in the mid 70’s.

The study went on for 5 years. The remarkable finding was that the icosapent ethyl reduced cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke considerably. This was phenomenal news to those of us who every day, treat people with heart disease and heart disease risk.

In summary, in the past year, we learned that regular fish oil doesn’t have the heart disease reduction effect that was claimed but that a specific derivation of fish oil, the omega 3 fatty acid icosapent ethyl (only available by prescription) reduces cardiovascular death and heart attacks and strokes in the people described above.

We at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology continually strive to be current and at the forefront of using interventions to reduce heart attack and stroke risk. We are experts in diabetes and heart risk factor management. One of our doctors and one of our clinical nurse specialists, Ashley Davila CNS, are boarded in Lipidology. We are also members of the National Lipid Association. We perform noninvasive heart disease risk assessments with an easy ultrasound based arterial assessment called Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness (CIMT). We also obtain “advanced lipid tests” in many individuals to help in their cardiovascular risk reduction/prevention.

We have participated in many clinical research studies evaluating a number of medications used to lower cholesterol. We are soon enrolling a study to evaluate the effect of a medication on lowering Lp(a) also called lipoprotein little a, which is an important indicator of heart attack and stroke risk. If you or any of your family has been told that you have an elevated Lp(a), please call our office and ask for the research department.

The pituitary is a hormone-producing gland that sits just beneath the base of the brain. It is very small – only about the size of a pea. The pituitary gland has two parts. The front portion of the gland makes hormones that affect the breasts, adrenals, thyroid, ovaries and testes, as well as several other hormones. The main glands affected by the back portion of the gland are the kidneys. It plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing. It is referred to as the body’s ‘master gland’ because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands.

What could go wrong with my pituitary gland?
Conditions that affect the pituitary gland directly can be divided into three main categories:

• Conditions that cause the pituitary gland to produce too much of one or more hormone(s). Examples include acromegaly, Cushing’s disease and prolactinoma.

• Conditions that cause the pituitary gland to produce too little of one or more hormone(s). Examples include adult-onset growth hormone deficiency, diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism.

What are the symptoms of pituitary conditions that produce too much of one or more hormones?

A prolactinoma is a tumor of the pituitary gland that produces too much of the hormone prolactin. High prolactin levels can cause women to have irregular or absent periods, infertility, or abnormal breast milk production. In men, high prolactin levels cause low testosterone which leads to fatigue, decreased muscle strength, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.

Cushing’s Disease is a hormonal disorder caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland. The tumor makes too much of a hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, and the immune system.

Acromegaly is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland that makes too much growth hormone. Common symptoms of acromegaly are abnormal growth of the hands and feet, joint pain, face changes (enlarging forehead, nose, tongue, lips, widened space between teeth, and underbite), carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of pituitary conditions that produce too little of one or more hormone(s)?

Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder in which your pituitary gland fails to produce one or more hormones, or doesn’t produce enough hormones. This can cause a variety of different symptoms depending on which hormone has been affected.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency
In children, GH deficiency may cause growth problems and short stature. Most adults who have GH deficiency don’t have any symptoms, but for some adults it can cause fatigue, changes in body fat and muscle weakness.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) deficiency
Deficiency of these hormones affect the body’s reproductive system. In women, the deficiency can cause irregular periods, hot flashes, low libido and the inability to produce milk for breast feeding. Men may also have symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, decreased facial or body hair, low libido and mood changes.

Prolactin deficiency
Prolactin is the hormone that tells the body when to start making breast milk. Low levels of prolactin can cause women to have problems making milk for breast-feeding.

What are the symptoms of pituitary conditions that alter the size and/or shape of the pituitary gland?

Empty Sella
Most individuals with empty sella syndrome do not have any associated symptoms, but the finding raises concerns about hormone deficiencies.

What is the treatment?

The treatment for pituitary problems are vast. Sometimes only monitoring the patient is needed. Other times a simple medication can resolve problems; however, in some cases surgery is required.

Why you should contact TD&E?

Pituitary disorders are often complex, and successful diagnosis and treatment can be a challenge. The physicians at TD&E offer an integrated, comprehensive approach to all pituitary problems. To ensure the best chances for successful treatment, you should be cared for by experts who specialize in pituitary diseases.

Testosterone is the most important androgen (male hormone) that men make. It helps regulate muscle mass and strength, it can effect sex drive and sexual function, and it helps maintain bone strength.

What is “low T”?

Low testosterone is when the body does not produce sufficient testosterone. With age, it is normal for levels of testosterone to get a bit lower. When the levels of testosterone get too low, men can have symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms may change from person to person.
If someone has had low testosterone for a relatively short period of time, he may experience: fatigue, low libido (little or no interest in sex), or he may feel sad or depressed
If low T goes unnoticed for a long time, some people experience loss of bone and / or muscle mass, loss of facial or body hair, increase in breast size (gynecomastia)

What are the causes?

Normal aging

Diseases affecting the testicles (which produce testosterone in men)

Certain treatments for cancer, including radiation, chemotherapy or certain types of hormone therapy

Disorders that affect the pituitary gland, a gland at the base of the brain that regulates all other hormones in the body

There are many things that can cause these symptoms. Your provider can try to find out what might be causing them. A blood test can show whether you have low T, but you might not need that test if something else is causing your symptoms. Also finding the cause of low T is important, since treatment may change depending on the cause.

What is the treatment?

Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement, which comes in patches, gels, injections, and other options. It is very important to pick the treatment that will work best for you and to monitor your testosterone levels to optimize the results. The providers at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology are experts in low testosterone management and can help you achieve personalized results!

Why you should contact TD&E

It is very important to evaluate and understand the specific cause of low T before starting treatment for it. Treatment depends on the cause, and sometimes starting treatment before detailed evaluation can make it harder to understand the underlying cause

Osteoporosis is a growing public health concern. It is characterized by low bone mass and decreased bone strength which results in an increased risk for fracture. This disease can affect both men and women. Current estimates are that 5.1% of men and 24.5% of women age 65 years and older have osteoporosis of the hip or spine.

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed with a BMD (bone mineral density) assessment.

Most experts recommend a BMD assessment in all postmenopausal women 65 years and older.

Many experts also recommend a BMD assessment in women younger than 65 who are at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Some experts recommend a BMD assessment for men over the age of 70.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. As such, there are no clinical manifestations until the affected individual suffers a fracture. This is why early diagnosis is important -we have therapies that can slow or even reverse the progression of osteoporosis so that fracture risk is reduced. One of our goals at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology is to deliver interventional therapies that will maintain quality of life for an aging population. If you have osteoporosis, we can perform a thorough evaluation and offer an individualized treatment plan.

Here are things you can do on your own to preserve bone mass:

Limit alcohol consumption to <2 drinks daily

Avoid smoking

Take a daily walk for at least 30-45 minutes

Consume foods containing vitamin D (dairy and fish from the ocean) and/or take a supplement

Looking online about a medical diagnosis can be overwhelming. A quick Google search about your thyroid condition might lead you down a rabbit hole where things get pretty grim, pretty fast. So what is this mystery diagnosis of Hashimoto’s? Simply put, it’s the name of the condition where your immune system turns against you and attacks your thyroid. It is the most common cause for someone to need to take a thyroid supplement – hypothyroidism.
Your immune system normally does a fantastic job of keeping your body safe from foreign “attacks” like bacterias and viruses. In some individuals, their immune system is tricked into attacking their own body. As a result, the target organ can be destroyed to the point that it no longer works properly. There are a number of conditions that follow this pattern but seem different because different organs are attacked. For instance, if the immune system targets your joints, you get rheumatoid arthritis, your pancreas – type 1 diabetes. All of these “autoimmune diseases” are interrelated and often times hereditary. This is why various members of the same family can present with a variety of autoimmune diseases. Experts do not know why or how the immune system gets activated but the gradual and eventual destruction of the thyroid can lead to devastating consequences for the patient.
The thyroid gland sits in the lower, front part of your neck and its purpose is to make thyroid hormone. This hormone serves to control the metabolic rate of almost all of the organs in your body. It controls processes as diverse as the rate at which the heart beats, the stomach digests food, the brain processes memories and learning, to the condition of your skin, hair and nails. When the thyroid is partially or completely destroyed, the lack of thyroid hormone will make an individual feel tired, constipated, forgetful, have dry skin or brittle nails. Each individual will present in their own unique way. The symptoms can be subtle or get worse gradually. This makes the diagnosis difficult to come by at times.
Your doctor at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology can run a series of blood tests to see the status of your thyroid levels. At times, we can determine if your immune system is making antibodies that are attacking your thyroid. Lastly, an ultrasound of your thyroid can sometimes be useful to see if your thyroid is healthy or if there is a problem.
Sometimes, Hashimoto’s can flare up and seemingly get worse. When this occurs, patients can experience the fatigue and other symptoms that first alerted them to the condition. Your doctor might need to increase or adjust your medication so that you can return to feeling back to normal again.